New Zealand became on Monday the first Western developed economy to sign a memorandum of understanding to align with China's Belt and Road Initiative during Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the country.

Li and his New Zealand counterpart, Prime Minister Bill English, were on hand as the document was signed. It was one of 13 agreements the two countries signed to boost cooperation in fields such as customs clearance, education, fisheries and food exports.

The initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.